I don't have many styling products that work well. There are a couple leave-in conditioners and gels I want to try, but other than that I'm totally clueless. There are so many products out there, I just don't know where to start! Please help!

I don't have many styling products that work well. There are a couple leave-in conditioners and gels I want to try, but other than that I'm totally clueless. There are so many products out there, I just don't know where to start! Please help!

Originally Posted by curlysophie

What do you have? What is your hair type? Do you know your properties? How long or short is it?

I don't have many styling products that work well. There are a couple leave-in conditioners and gels I want to try, but other than that I'm totally clueless. There are so many products out there, I just don't know where to start! Please help!

Originally Posted by curlysophie

What do you have? What is your hair type? Do you know your properties? How long or short is it?

Originally Posted by chupie

Thanks for responding! Some products I have are Be Curly leave-in, Motion Lotion, and SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner (also can be a leave-in). My hair is 3A, medium thickness/texture, and low porosity (I think!). It's an inch or so below my shoulders when dry.

I don't have many styling products that work well. There are a couple leave-in conditioners and gels I want to try, but other than that I'm totally clueless. There are so many products out there, I just don't know where to start! Please help!

Originally Posted by curlysophie

What do you have? What is your hair type? Do you know your properties? How long or short is it?

Originally Posted by chupie

Thanks for responding! Some products I have are Be Curly leave-in, Motion Lotion, and SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner (also can be a leave-in). My hair is 3A, medium thickness/texture, and low porosity (I think!). It's an inch or so below my shoulders when dry.

Originally Posted by curlysophie

I'd sure think you need a gel. You don't have to start fancy. Try an LA Looks gel.(ETA: Dollar Store best bet to find. Also sometimes Walmart, Walgreens, etc) Most people like the Sports Extreme. I like the Nutra Curl (only a hold 8 and I use quite a bit but man it works), or I know of some liking the 8 hold Mega Mega. Be careful as sometimes shea butter products can build up. If your hair suddenly acts just bizarre try a clarifying wash to reboot. Here is the video that made me realize I could use a lot more of the LA looks gel than I was. I don't know, hers are more 3b but maybe it will give you ideas of how to work with gel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKrysLqgn8Y

When you use a product remember to test it a while using various amounts and applying to wet or damp hair. Sometimes that alone gives you a much different result. Generally, it seems like wet but not sopping or dripping is a good way to distribute leave in and gel as it squelches up the shaft. Also try raking in vs. smoothing in. Just scrunching in will put most product just on your ends, so you have to experiment with that. Also squeezing it in down the length of the clumps, THEN scrunching can really pump up curl.

What do you have? What is your hair type? Do you know your properties? How long or short is it?

Originally Posted by chupie

Thanks for responding! Some products I have are Be Curly leave-in, Motion Lotion, and SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner (also can be a leave-in). My hair is 3A, medium thickness/texture, and low porosity (I think!). It's an inch or so below my shoulders when dry.

Originally Posted by curlysophie

I'd sure think you need a gel. You don't have to start fancy. Try an LA Looks gel.(ETA: Dollar Store best bet to find. Also sometimes Walmart, Walgreens, etc) Most people like the Sports Extreme. I like the Nutra Curl (only a hold 8 and I use quite a bit but man it works), or I know of some liking the 8 hold Mega Mega. Be careful as sometimes shea butter products can build up. If your hair suddenly acts just bizarre try a clarifying wash to reboot. Here is the video that made me realize I could use a lot more of the LA looks gel than I was. I don't know, hers are more 3b but maybe it will give you ideas of how to work with gel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKrysLqgn8Y

When you use a product remember to test it a while using various amounts and applying to wet or damp hair. Sometimes that alone gives you a much different result. Generally, it seems like wet but not sopping or dripping is a good way to distribute leave in and gel as it squelches up the shaft. Also try raking in vs. smoothing in. Just scrunching in will put most product just on your ends, so you have to experiment with that. Also squeezing it in down the length of the clumps, THEN scrunching can really pump up curl.